THE MAGIC OF MADAGASCAR ECOTOUR: LEMURS AND OTHER WILDLIFE 2018

A chance to look for Groves’dwarf lemur – the newest species of lemur that was recently discovered in Ranomafana National Park.

Visit one of the most unique places on earth – there’s no where else like Madagascar.

Observe endangered lemurs in the wild and get new dance moves from watching dancing sifakas.

Listen for the eerie calls of the Indri. You’ve never heard anything like this!

Hike in three of Madagascar’s most beautiful national parks.

Meet and hang out with Dr. Tara Clarke, Visiting Assistant Professor, Duke University and Director of Outreach, Lemur Love, Inc. and Dr. Marni LaFleur, Adjunct Professor, UCSD, and Founder and Director, Lemur Love, Inc. They’ll chat about their work and conservation projects followed by a Q &A session.

Participate in a community-based conservation education outreach activity with local Malagasy children.

Create lemur enrichment at ONG Reniala Lemur Rescue Center (LRC). we will be creating lemur enrichment. Enrichment is an important/essential part of captive care- it provides stimulation and allows for new/novel items and exploration to prevent boredom and stress from captive conditions.

Support lemur conservation. $500 of your fee goes to Lemur Love, a US-based non-profit (501(c)(3)), thus all donations are tax-deductible for US citizens.

Search for mouse lemurs and other nocturnal critters on two night walks.

Observe other wildlife, such as birds, colourful chameleons, frogs and if you’re really lucky, maybe even a Fossa.

On The Magic of Madagascar Ecotour: Lemurs and Other Wildlife you’ll observe species of which 90% are only found in Madagascar. They’re not found anywhere else on the planet!

You’ll hike in dense rainforests where a local guide will help you spot as many lemur species as possible, listen for the eery call of the indri, and observe the moves of the dancing sifaka. Their moves may just put yours to shame! Ready for a dance-off?

You’ll be entertained learning about lemurs and other wildlife through storytelling and other ways that are sure to enthrall. What we like to call edu-tainment.

TRIP SUMMARY

We’ll also give you an insider’s glimpse into the fascinating world of Malagasy folklore and taboos, called fady. Like how you should never eat Angonoka tortoise. Hint: Besides being endangered, it’s also bad luck. We also won’t be wearing empty baskets on our heads. It’s also fady.

This trip has been carefully and thoughtfully designed to create a responsible, eco-friendly, and conservation-oriented experience. While you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see lemurs and other endemic wildlife that allow and/or encourage/interact/touch/feed with Malagasy wildlife (e.g., lemurs, chameleons, snakes etc.). We truly have the lemurs and all of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity best interest at heart.

What’s unique about participating in this trip? You’ll be making a direct impact on lemur conservation efforts and initiatives in Madagascar! How? You will have the unique opportunity to meet and spend time with top lemur researchers and conservationists from Duke University (Dr. Tara Clarke), University of California San Diego (UCSD) (Dr. Marni LaFleur), and Lemur Love, Inc., a U.S.-based non-profit, dedicated to lemur science, conservation, and education.

These lemur scientists will give you a rare insider’s glimpse into the life of lemurs and the threats they are facing, and how collecting lemur poop could be one of the keys to stopping the illegal lemur pet trade.You’ll also spend some time engaging in a community-based conservation initiative. We will be working alongside Drs. Clarke and LaFleur to conduct lemur conservation education outreach activities with local children – something that they surprisingly don’t learn in school.

Then, you’ll have the unique opportunity to create and prepare enrichment for 30 rescued wild-caught ex-pet lemurs who now live at the ONG Reniala Lemur Rescue Center. What will be their favourites? Are they clever enough to figure out the challenges that you’ve created for them? You’ll find out, as you’ll observe them enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Finally, $500 of your payment goes directly to Lemur Love, Inc. They’re an incredible nonprofit (EIN# 46-1174852) whose mission is to inspire a love for lemurs, advance knowledge and support action so Madagascar’s wildlife and people can thrive. Click here to find out more about their lemur research and conservation efforts in Madagascar and be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates. This part of your trip is tax deductible if you live in the U.S. For other countries please check on the charitable giving laws specific to your country.

The Magic of Madagascar Ecotour: Lemurs and Other Wildlife is a trip of a lifetime for all lemur and wildlife lovers. It gives you a glimpse at endemic wildlife found nowhere else on earth AND it gives you the opportunity to have a direct impact on lemur conservation.

Day 7 – Ranomafana to Ranohira

Day 8 – Isalo National Park

Day 9 – Ranhoira to Tulear to Ifaty

Day 10 – Ifaty to Tulear

Day 11 – Fly from Tulear to Antananarivo

Day 12 – Fly Home

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive in Antananarivo (Tana)

We’ll pick you up directly at Ivato Airport, the main airport in Madagascar and transfer you to your accommodation. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax before your adventure begins.

Day 2 – Antananarivo to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

After breakfast, we’ll first stop at Lemurs’ Park, a botanical garden and lemur reserve. It’s the only reserve in Madagascar where you can see nine species of free-roaming lemurs. You’ll get up close to lemurs. Here’s your chance for a lemur selfie – without touching them.

Then, we’ll drive to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (~140 km, 6-hour drive) through a landscape of rice fields, waterfalls, and forests.

Before dinner, we’ll go for a night walk along the road in search of the mouse lemur and other nocturnal species.

Day 3 – Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a protected rainforest in eastern Madagascar. We’ll hike in the reserve and discover the species dwelling inside this forest. Here you’ll have the opportunity to observe: indri (Indri Indri), the largest of all living lemur species, diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema), greater and lesser bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur griseus) Prolemur simus), common brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus) and Parson’s chameleon.

We’ll hike for ~ 4 hours. It’s moderate hiking with some ascents.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Mintsinjo Forest where we’ll hike for ~ 2 hours. It’s a Malagasy NGO that started as a community initiative. Their focus is on conservation, nature-based tourism, and development. Before dinner, we’ll go for another night walk in search of more nocturnal creatures.

Day 4 – Andasibe-Mantadia National Park to Antsirabe

We’ll drive back to Tana, then head south to Antsirabe. It’s the capital city of the Vakinankaratra region, in the central highlands of Madagascar. The 310 km journey takes ~ 7 hours. Antsirabe is known for its thermal springs and two crater lakes. It’s been a spa town since the late 1800s when Norwegian missionaries built a health retreat.

We’ll visit a beautiful workshop where they make miniatures from recycled materials. This provides employment for locals.

Day 5 – Antsirabe to Ranomafana National Park

We’ll drive to Ranomafana National Park (240 km ~ 6 hours). We’ll break up the drive with a stop in Ambositra to see the fine woodcarvings of the Zafimaniry community.

The Zafinmaniry’s knowledge of woodworking is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Although their style of woodworking was once common throughout Madagascar, it’s decreased because of deforestation.

Now, they’re the only remaining community in Madagascar who carries on the tradition. Your visit helps carry on the tradition and provides much needed employment for locals. The Zafinmaniry are also involved with reforestation projects.

Then, we’ll continue to Ranomafana National Park, one of the most magnificent national parks in Madagascar. We’ll do a night walk here along the road searching for the nocturnal mouse lemurs. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll see the elusive fossa. Also known as the Malagasy Puma.

Day 6 – Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madagascar and one of it’s most important national parks. It was created in 1991 after Dr Patricia Wright from Duke University discovered the highly endangered golden bamboo lemur.

Afterwards, you’ll visit Centre Valbio near Ranomafana. It’s a state-of-the-art research station focused on conservation in Madagascar. It receives hundreds of researchers, students and eco-tourists each year. It’s one of a kind in Madagascar.

Day 7 – Ranomafana to Ranohira

We’ll depart early for the town of Ranohira (~ 360 km, 7 hours). We’ll break up the drive with a stop in Ambalavao – the commercial centre of the southern Betsileo region. It’s renowned for its arts and crafts.

From Ambalavao it’s a short drive to the Anja Community Reserve where you can observe endangered ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in their natural habitat. Then we’ll continue to Ranohira where we’ll spend the night.

Day 8 – Isalo National Park

We’ll spend the morning hiking in Isalo National Park. The park attracts hikers from all over the world to experience the sandstone massifs which form unusual rides, called runiformes. The landscape varies dramatically from sandstone massifs to canyons to oases to grasslands.

Although wildlife is not as abundant here as in the other national parks that we’ve visited, you can still spot ring-tailed lemurs, brown lemurs, and sifakas, in addition to the nocturnal lemurs. Approximately 80 species of birds live in the park, 35 reptile species and several endemic frogs.

The flora is the real showstopper at Isalo. More than 500 species can be found here, including several endemic plants, like elephants’ foot.

You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy the pool and spa area at your hotel.

Day 9 – Ranhoira to Tulear to Ifaty

Today we’re driving 267 km for about five hours. We’ll head to Tuléar, the capital of the Atsimo-Andrefana region while enjoying a landscape of dry forests, baobabs and some proudly decorated Mahafaly tombs.

The Mahafaly are an ethnic group known to honour the dead with dramatic and lavish tombs.

Once we’ve arrived in Tuléar, we’ll visit the Arboretum where you can see over 900 species of plants that make up a tiny spiny forest.

Then we’ll carry on to Ifaty. It’s a seaside resort protected by a coral reef. You’ll find white sandy beaches dotted with spiny bushes. We’ll also be there during whale season so keep your eyes peeled.

Day 10 – Ifaty to Tulear

Today is your day to make a direct impact on Madagascar’s endangered lemurs and lemur conservation initiatives. It will undoubtedly be one of the trip highlights! We’ll meet and spend time with two prominent lemur researchers and conservationists, Drs. Tara Clarke and Marni LaFleur from Duke University and the University of California, San Diego, respectively, and Lemur Love.

This is your chance to ask all those burning questions about lemurs, their behavior, ecology, the threats they are facing and what is being done to combat them, and find out how you can help make a difference!

Then, we’ll visit a local primary school and work with Drs. Clarke and LaFleur on a lemur conservation education lesson and activity with local children. The Malagasy school curriculum is European based and doesn’t teach children about unique and endemic wildlife in Madagascar. Therefore, many local people don’t realize just how special the wildlife is in Madagascar.

After lunch, it’s time to visit the ONG Reniala Lemur Rescue Center (LRC) in Mangily, in the southwestern part of Madagascar. Here, we’ll create enrichment items for the 30 rescued wild-caught ex-pet lemurs that call the LRC home.

What is their favourite food? Are they clever enough to figure out where we’ve hidden the food? We’ll find out as we observe the lemurs.

These type of activities seek to simulate some of the day-to-day activities and behaviours, such as searching/foraging for food, that lemurs would do in the wild. It helps to keep them physically active, mentally sharp and helps to prevent boredom.

Afterwards, we’ll drive to Tulear.

Day 11 – Fly from Tulear to Antananarivo

We’ll transfer to the airport and fly back to Tana. Depending on the time of our flight, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure. It’s a great time to do some souvenir shopping. We’ll share our favourite spot for doing so.

Day 12 – Fly Home

We’ll take you to the airport. Depending on when your flight is you may have some time to explore on your own. We suggest souvenir shopping if you didn’t have the chance the day before. Alternatively, you may want to visit Tana’s Rova. It’s a fortified palace on top of the highest hill in Tana. It’s under restoration but you can visit the compound and get incredible views over the city.

What’s Not Included

Domestic flight with airport taxes from Tuléar to Antananarivo (~€270 per person) (we can book this for you)

Lunches and dinners (this way you get to choose what you want to eat instead of everyone eating the same thing)

Tourist visa (~ $33 USD for a stay up to 90 days)

Lunches and dinners. (~$12 for a main course with drink, and up to $23 for a full menu)

Personal expenditures

Travel and trip cancellation insurance. We HIGHLY recommend that you have travel insurance. We like World Nomads.

Payment Info

20% of the payment is due at the time of booking. The remaining payment is due 60 days before the tour start date. $3395 is payable to Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel and $500 USD is payable directly to Lemur Love which is tax-deductible for US citizens. If you’re booking within 60 days of the tour start date, full payment is required. Payment for your internal flight is due as soon as we have confirmed that the tour is running.

What are the accommodations like?

You’ll be staying in Malagasy-style three-star accommodations. Often in bungalows and with personality – no chain hotels. Electricity in most accommodations comes from a generator. In many places the power goes off at 11:00 pm, so you’ll need to bring a flashlight. It’s also worth noting that hairdryers won’t work in most of the accommodations since they require a lot of power. It’s simple but beautiful accommodation that makes you feel like you’re actually in Madagascar.

Visas

All foreign visitors to the Republic of Madagascar require entry visas. For short visits (90 days or less), every visitor, regardless of nationality, can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport in Antananarivo, provided the visitor’s passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the last day of the intended stay in Madagascar, and provided the visitor carries an airline-issued ticket or passenger receipt confirming the visitor’s intention to leave Madagascar within 90 days. Source: http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/visainfo.html

The cost for the visa (as of October 2017) was $33.26.

Your passport should have at least one blank page and be valid for a minimum of six months upon your arrival.

What to Bring

We will provide you with a complete packing list of what to bring. No special equipment is required although we do recommend bringing binoculars and a headlamp.

Travel Insurance

It’s highly recommended that you have travel and trip cancellation insurance. We recommend World Nomads insurance.

Transportation on the Tour

What’s the weather like in July?

Expect daytime temperatures of 10 to 20°C (50 – 68° Fahrenheit). It rains an average of 10 days in July so it’s a good idea to bring a rain jacket.

I’m a solo traveller. Can I still do this trip?

Absolutely. Our trips are based on double accommodation. We can try to put you with another solo traveller of the same sex. Alternatively, you can choose to have your own room for an additional charge of $650.

How many other people be on my tour?

There will be a maximum of 14 other travellers, not including the guides.

How long is this tour?

It’s 12 days but you need to arrive the day before the tour starts.

When is this tour offered?

This trip is only offered in July 2019. Exact details to follow. Be sure to take our Madagascar Quiz to stay notified of updates.

What if I’m not available those dates?

Is this tour confirmed? Can I go ahead and book my flights?

We’ll let you know as soon as we have enough people confirmed that the trip is 100% on. At the absolute latest, we’ll let you know 65 days in advance. As it’s such a unique tour we’re optimistic that it will run.

I really want to interact with lemurs. Can I hug a lemur?

Our tours are thoughtfully designed to be eco-friendly and conscious and to generate a conservation-oriented mindset that allows for responsible and mindful interactions with wildlife. That means on this tour, you won’t be hugging, touching, and/or feeding lemurs (or any other Malagasy wildlife).

We strongly discourage visiting and supporting businesses that allow or encourage these types of interactions. The individual lemurs that you often see at various hotels, eco-lodges, and restaurants have often been illegally captured from the wild.

Infant and young lemurs are targeted for the trade and typically have high mortality rates, thus this practice is unsustainable.

Lemurs are the most endangered group of mammals in the world, 94% of species are threatened with extinction. The illegal pet trade of lemurs within Madagascar is of growing concern.

From 2010-2013, 28,000 lemurs were negatively impacted by this trade. Furthermore, owning a pet lemur is illegal in Madagascar; however, the laws are not regularly enforced.

According to Dr Tara Clarke, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, and the Director of Outreach at Lemur Love, “education and outreach with local people, local businesses (hotels, tour companies), and tourists, alike, regarding the illegal pet trade of lemurs within Madagascar is crucial to creating awareness and positive behavioral changes that will lead to more responsible interactions with endemic wildlife.”

But you will be able to take hands-off selfies. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to observe lemurs up-close in a way that doesn’t interfere with their natural behaviour.

How much should I budget for meals that aren’t included?

Plan to spend ~$12 USD for a main course and drink. A full menu including an appetizer, main course, dessert and drink can cost up to $23 USD.

What type of food will I eating and what if I have a food allergy or preference, i.e. vegetarian or vegan?

Traditional Malagasy cuisine usually consists of one main dish of meat, poultry, fish with a side of vegetables and a bowl of herbed rice. Most of the restaurants also serve international food dishes. We can accommodate vegetarians and gluten-free diets. It’s also possible to accommodate vegan diets but at some restaurants, there may only be one dish that you can eat.

Will language will the tour be conducted in.

All guiding is in English.

Is Madagascar safe?

Yes, but you do need to be careful keep an eye on your belongings as there are pickpockets, especially in the larger centers. We will also provide further safety recommendations to participants on the tour.

According to the Government of Canada, as of October 14th, 2017, There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Madagascar. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution the high crime rate and the potential for political instability. Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/madagascar.

Check this site (or the one for your country) regularly for updates. We recommend having travel insurance on your belongings and trip cancellation insurance for this reason.

Do I need to take any immunizations or special medication?

Yes. Please refer to the recommended immunizations and malaria medication recommended by the Centers for Disease Controle and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/clinician/none/madagascar, or check with your local or travel doctor.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. This tour is restricted to adults. If you’d like to do a family tour, please contact us about a custom tour that is child-friendly.

I started Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel started off as a travel blog in 2010. To my surprise, it has grown to become one of the top adventure travel blogs.

After receiving multiple requests from readers asking for help in planning their adventures. I became a tour operator in 2016 specializing in hiking, cycling and wildlife holidays. I put my 20+ years of travel experience and connections to use in helping you plan your active holidays, along with my team of locals in each country that we visit. It’s important to me that locals benefit from our travels so that they have an incentive to move ecotourism forward.

I’m passionate about ecotourism. My pet peeve is greenwashing, when the tourism industry says it’s “green” just because they’re observing wildlife. Ecotourism can play an incredible role in wildlife conservation if done properly. As Madagascar has such a fragile ecosystem, this tour has been designed with extra care and with input from Lemur Love, who work in Madagascar.

In, addition, for the first time, I’ll be joining this trip! I visited Madagascar several months ago and was in complete awe of the wildlife. It also made me painfully aware of how much still needs to be done with regards to lemur conservation and the challenges of doing so in such a poor country. That’s why I’m so excited about this trip. It makes a positive difference on both locals and lemurs.

I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Primatology and a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change. In combination with knowledgeable local guides, we promise to make this edu-taining for you. Learning should be fun!

In addition, by booking your tour with Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel, you’re helping to do your part. We work with local tour companies that make a positive impact on the communities that you’ll be visiting. We’ve also partnered up with One Tree Planted and plant one tree in a deforested area for every tour sold.

The best customer service I’ve ever received from booking a trip! – Jim

There can be a lot of anxiety when booking a trip to an unknown destination; Will anyone speak English? Am I going to see what I really want to see? Where’s the best place to see lemurs? Is it safe? Is this trip for me if I prefer animals over people?

Our goal is to make The Magic of Madagascar Ecotour: Lemurs and Other Wildlife, one of your most memorable and impactful vacations ever.

By booking with us you’ll get:

Unlimited email support. Ask all the questions you want.

Pre-trip fun facts about Madagascar and an introduction to lemur behaviour. This will make your time in Madagascar even more enjoyable.

A real insight into the wildlife of Madagascar.

Best places to observe lemurs and other wildlife in a way that doesn’t interfere with their natural behaviour

EDU-tainment with stories of wildlife behaviour

Confidence that we put wildlife first. We have the best interests of the animals at heart.

AT A GLANCE

Duration:

12 days

Availability:

July 2019, exact dates TBA

Start/Finish:

Antananarivo, Madagascar

Grade:

Easy to Moderate

Prices from:

$3395 USD (EARLY BIRD PRICE) + $500 USD donation to Lemur Love

YOUR MADAGASCAR EXPERT: LAUREL

Laurel is the founder of Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel. Madagascar was always a bucket list destination for her because of the lemurs and it exceeded her expectations. She’ll be joining this tour since along with a knowledgeable local guide. We promise to make this edu-taining for you. Learning should be fun!